Earth Day, April 22, 2025
Take a Hike! – And Other Ways to De-Stress and Relax in Nature
Kate Chynoweth, Author
Magination Press, Nonfiction, Mar. 4, 2025
Pages: 128
Suitable for ages: 8-12
Themes: Nature, Health benefits, Climate, Guide book, Nonfiction
Take a Hike! – And Other Ways to De-Stress and Relax in Nature
Kate Chynoweth, Author
Magination Press, Nonfiction, Mar. 4, 2025
Pages: 128
Suitable for ages: 8-12
Themes: Nature, Health benefits, Climate, Guide book, Nonfiction
Publisher’s Synopsis:
With a mixture of inspirational text and practical tips, this tween-friendly handbook encourages kids to seek out nature for health benefits and planet protection.
Kids who spend more time in nature benefit in mind, body, and spirit! And likewise, they benefit the Earth. This guide explains the powerful connection between us and our planet and shares practical tips and fun activities anyone can do to get outside and soak up nature. An advisory board of psychologists and nature conservationists infuses the book with expertise in kid-friendly ways. Stunning photography showcases nature as fun, mighty, beautiful, and just outside!
Science continues to show the healing benefits of nature for mental health, more important than ever in the midst of a post-pandemic world. This book is part of a publishing partnership between Magination Press and the National Wildlife Federation®. Together we hope to ease stress through a collection of books showing the benefits of nature for improving mental health, reducing stress, boosting self-esteem, and encouraging empowerment for people, communities, and the planet.
My thoughts:
Kate Chynoweth has written an engaging introductory book about the importance of spending time outdoors in nature — a great gift book just in time for spring and summer exploration. This beautifully designed book is easy to use with six informational chapters that will encourage readers to begin by exploring the nature outside their own backdoors. Every page is filled with spectacular photgraphy.
This interactive guide book is designed for middle grade kids. It is full of fascinating tips, fun facts, creative ideas, and many hands-on activities that will encourage readers to go explore the great outdoors. From hunting for bugs and birds, tracking animals, hiking, snow skiing, star gazing, snorkeling, paddling a canoe, making lily floats, to forest bathing, cloud-watching picnics and other relaxing outdoor activities.
“Outdoors can be a space where you can get to make your own rules and pursue how to play, on your own schdule. You play harder outdoors than indoors” The goal — to soak up nature. .
Every chapter has Climate Spotlights sections that offer creative ways to combat climate change. The final chapter goes into greater depth about what kids can to do to help this beautiful planet, we call home. I highly recommend this wonderful guide for home and school! It is a perfect book to get kids involved in Earth Day
Other interesting points:
- Take a Hike is published in partnership with the National Wildlife Foundation
- Kids who play outside are more physically active, more creative in their play, less aggressive, and show better communition skills
- Sixty minutes of daily unstructured free play is essention to children’s physical and mental health
- The most direct route to caring for the enviornment as an adult is participating in “wild nature activities” Tbefore the age of 11
Kate Chynoweth is the author of a half dozen nonfiction books including Lemons: Growing, Cooking, Crafting and A Bouquet of Roses, and her work has appeared in various publications. She lives in California.
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*Review copy provided by Magination Press in exchange for a review.